Paul George of the 76ers attributed his use of a prohibited substance to mental health issues.
CAMDEN, N.J. — Paul George refrained from discussing the details surrounding his failed drug test that resulted in a 25-game suspension but expressed that he is both mentally and physically prepared to assist the Philadelphia 76ers in their playoff efforts during the final 10 games of the season.
George is set to compete for the Sixers on Wednesday evening against Chicago.
The Sixers, who have also been without an injured Joel Embiid for the last 13 games, recorded a 13-12 record in his absence and entered Tuesday night’s games with a 39-33 record, placing them seventh in the Eastern Conference standings.
George received his suspension in late January for breaching the NBA’s anti-drug policy.
He began his statement on Tuesday at the 76ers’ facility in New Jersey by apologizing to the team, its supporters, and his family for the poor judgment that led to his failed test.
“Disappointing people hurts more than anything,” George stated.
He mentioned that his decision to use a prohibited substance was linked to a mental health challenge that arose due to an offseason knee injury, which hindered his performance this season.
“The hardest part is when your body isn’t where you know it should be or where it used to be,” George explained. “That affects the mental aspect, being aware of your limitations. However, I feel good, my body is in great shape. Mentally, I am confident in my abilities and what I have been able to achieve on the court over the years.”
George has averaged 16 points across 27 games this season for the Sixers. He delivered one of his standout performances of the season during the week he was suspended, scoring 32 points, including nine 3-pointers, in a victory over Milwaukee.
The 35-year-old George signed a four-year, $212 million contract in free agency prior to the 2024 season. However, his inaugural year in Philadelphia was plagued by knee and adductor injuries, resulting in one of the least productive seasons of his NBA career.
He averaged 16.2 points in just 41 games, marking his lowest scoring average in a full season since he recorded 12.1 points during his second season with Indiana.
Following an injury sustained during a workout, he underwent surgery on his left knee in July and missed the first 12 games of this season.
“Being a professional athlete takes a toll on you,” George remarked. “My body wasn’t where I wanted it to be. The pressure to perform, given my physical condition, naturally led to high expectations for myself. That contributed to a poor decision at that time.”
George noted that the suspension allowed his body to recover from persistent injuries, which in turn has enhanced his mental well-being.
“These 25 games were exactly what I needed for my body,” he stated.
The suspension resulted in George, a nine-time All-Star, losing approximately $11.7 million of his $51.7 million salary, equating to around $469,692 for each of the 25 games missed.
“I’ve mentioned throughout my career that dealing with mental health, I’m not a superhero,” George said. “I’m human, and I made a mistake in that moment.”
The 2023 MVP, Embiid, has been sidelined for the last 13 games due to a right oblique strain, while All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey has missed nine consecutive games because of a right finger tendon strain.
No immediate timeline has been provided for their returns.
George expressed his readiness to step up and fill the scoring gap, aiming to elevate the Sixers out of the play-in bubble and firmly into the playoffs.
“I’ve been feeling great, feeling explosive again, feeling strong again,” he said. “I believe I’m back to a level where I can perform and be the focal point and the scorer.”
